Author Archives: Wesley Cheng DO

Preventing Constipation

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Constipation is a common problem among people of all ages. Often, those experiencing symptoms describe having hard or pebbly stools, having infrequent bowel movements or straining while trying to use the bathroom.  People may also complain of stomach pains, bloating, gas or being unable to have a full bowel movement.   These symptoms may vary with each individual.

Constipation can be caused by many different problems, but the most common reasons are a lack of fiber in your diet and not drinking enough water.  Certain medications or iron supplements can also contribute to constipation.

There are several things you can do to prevent constipation, one of which is making sure you are consuming enough fiber.  Eating enough fiber helps to soften your stool and helps your body to move waste through your digestive tract.  It is recommended that you eat 20 to 35 grams of fiber every day.

Fiber can be found in many vegetables; grains such as whole wheat, oatmeal, bran, brown rice; nuts; and fruits such as apples, cherries, peaches, and grapes.  Whole fruits are particularly helpful in preventing constipation because their sugars help to keep more water in the intestines which softens your stool. Prunes, raisins, and other dried fruits are often used to relieve constipation because they have high amounts of fiber and sugar. If you are diabetic, be careful when choosing the fruits you eat, as some are very rich in sugar.

Adopting other healthy habits can also reduce the occurrence of constipation. Exercise can help improve your bowel movements; moving your body promotes movement along your digestive system.  Using the bathroom around the same time every day is also beneficial and will help your body to develop a routine. Most people tend to go more frequently in the morning as the activity in their digestive tract peaks shortly after waking up. If you feel the need to have a bowel movement at other times throughout the day, it is best to go and not hold it in as this can also lead to constipation.

Laxatives (over-the-counter and prescription) are often used as a form of relief from constipation; however, it is important to keep in mind that the frequent use of laxatives is not recommended as your body may become dependent on them for bowel movements.

Just about everyone will have difficulty with going to the bathroom from time-to-time; however, if symptoms of constipation persist for more than three weeks, or if you are experiencing blood in your stools or stomach pain, you should see your physician.  There may be a more serious cause for your constipation.

Please do not hesitate to talk to your doctor if you are concerned about changes in your bowel movements.  To schedule an appointment with a Family Medicine physician at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, please call 718-206-6942.

Dr. Wesley Cheng D.O. Family Medicine

 

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.

Healthy eating for people with diabetes

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For people with diabetes, maintaining a healthy diet is crucial.  Although eating well-balanced meals is strongly encouraged, it is important to pay close attention to the carbohydrate portion of foods consumed as they become glucose when digested.

Glucose is a sugar needed to help our cells and organs function properly. In healthy individuals, the level of glucose within the blood is controlled so that it does not become too high or too low.  However, in people with diabetes, the body is unable to keep the glucose levels within the normal range. Frequent high levels of glucose within the blood is responsible for the complications that go along with diabetes including an increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, nerve damage, kidney damage, and many other problems.

To avoid the development of these complications and to help maintain normal glucose levels, people with diabetes should include foods that have low glycemic levels such as whole wheat bread, barley, carrots or lentils in their diets. Food such as white rice, white bread, pretzels or potatoes rank highly on the glycemic index and should be kept to a minimum or eliminated.

The glycemic index is a scale from 0-100 that gives us an idea of blood sugar response from a particular food. In general, foods that rank 55 or less are considered to have low glycemic levels and foods that rank 70 or more are high.  Anything in between these numbers is moderate.

While having diabetes doesn’t mean you have to follow a specific diet, it does mean you should remain mindful of what you eat.  Here are some recommended tips you can follow to help you along the way:

– Try to avoid or cut down on sweet drinks. Sugary drinks such as juice, soda, and energy drinks are very high in sugar and easily absorbed by the body so they will cause your blood sugar to go high quickly.

– Protein and fat in foods can lower the glycemic index (making it better for your blood sugar), but be careful you’re not eating too much because they are also rich in calories and can cause weight gain.

-Foods with polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats such as lean meat, avocados, fish, and whole grain wheat are much better for you than food that contains saturated or transfats such as doughnuts, fried foods, and salami.

To schedule an appointment to speak with a doctor about managing your diabetes, please call the Jamaica Hospital Department of Family Medicine  at 718-206-6942.

Wesley Cheng D.O. Family Medicine

All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.